St Gerard Majella Solemn Novena, Dundalk

What to Expect

Every year from 8 to 16 October, St Joseph’s Redemptorist Church in Dundalk holds the Solemn Novena in honour of St Gerard Majella, an Italian Redemptorist brother who lived from 1726 to 1755 and was canonised by Pope Pius X in 1904. Known widely as “the mothers’ saint” for the many miracles attributed to his intercession for expectant mothers and safe childbirth, St Gerard draws people to Dundalk from right across Ireland for the nine days of the novena, not only from Louth. The event is often described locally as the Festival of Faith and is thought to be the largest recurring religious gathering held anywhere in the country, with an average of around 10,000 people passing through the church on some days. Masses run through each day of the novena and every one ends with a blessing using a relic of St Gerard. People attending can submit written petitions and thanksgivings for prayer during the novena, a practice that in fact continues all year round through the parish office, not just during the nine days in October.

Good to Know

• Dates: Wednesday 8 October to Thursday 16 October 2026, nine days in total
• Venue: St Joseph’s Redemptorist Church, St Alphonsus Road, Dundalk
• Daily Mass times for the Solemn Novena are confirmed on the parish website closer to the date each year
• Free to attend, no booking required
• The St Gerard Family League, which promotes prayer for family life, was established in Ireland in 1950 and is based at the Dundalk monastery, with annual membership by suggested donation of €5
• Petitions and thanksgivings can be handed in at the parish office or submitted online in advance of the novena
• Contact: dundalk.office@cssr.ie or +353 (0)42 933 4042
• Annual event, held every October since the devotion became established in Dundalk

Getting There

St Joseph’s Church is on St Alphonsus Road on the northern side of Dundalk town centre, within walking distance of Dundalk Clarke rail station and the town’s bus station. On-street parking around the church fills up quickly during the evening Masses, so allow extra time if driving.